Quick disconnect coupling systems and related methods

Abstract

Quick disconnect devices for high pressure fluid transfer, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative quick disconnect system includes a first connector and a second connector. The second connector can have an opening sized and shaped to receive a first end of the first connector. The second connector can include a poppet positioned to open the first connector when the first connector is connected to the second connector. The second connector can include an inner sleeve moveable between a first position wherein the poppet head forms a fluid-tight seal with the annular seat of the inner sleeve, and a second position wherein the second end portion is open to permit fluid flow through the end portion of the inner sleeve. In some embodiments, the inner sleeve is pressure balanced in every direction.

We claim: 
     
       1. A quick disconnect system for transmitting a fluid, comprising:
 (a) a first connector comprising:
 a first outer sleeve having a first end and a second end; and 
 
 (b) a second connector comprising:
 (i) a second outer sleeve having an opening sized and shaped to receive the first end of the first outer sleeve; 
 (ii) a poppet positioned within the second outer sleeve, the poppet comprising a first end having a poppet head and recessed from the opening of the second outer sleeve, and a second end opposite the first end; 
 (iii) an inner sleeve positioned within the second outer sleeve and having:
 a first end portion; and 
 a second end portion recessed from the opening of the second outer sleeve opposite the first end portion and having a seat; and 
 
 (iv) an abutment sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the inner sleeve; 
 
 wherein:
 (a) the inner sleeve is moveable between a first position wherein the poppet head forms a fluid-tight seal with the seat of the inner sleeve, and a second position wherein the second end portion is open to permit fluid flow through the second end portion; 
 (b) the second end portion of the inner sleeve is pushed by the first connector away from the first position when the first connector is mated with the second connector; and 
 (c) the poppet head extends longitudinally toward the opening of the second outer sleeve beyond the abutment sleeve and beyond the inner sleeve prior to the first connector being mated with the second connector. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the poppet is fixed with respect to the second outer sleeve. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein, as the first connector and second connector are mated, an inner surface of the second outer sleeve contacts an outer surface of the first outer sleeve before the second end portion is pushed away from the first position. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the poppet head forms a seal with a moveable portion of the first connector when the first connector is mated with the second connector. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an O-ring seal between the poppet head and the seat of the inner sleeve. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the second outer sleeve decreases from the opening toward the poppet head. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the second outer sleeve has a sloped surface. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner sleeve includes an outer flange, and wherein the first connector is configured to contact the outer flange to push the inner sleeve toward the second position. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the inner sleeve includes a sloped outer surface portion extending from the outer flange in a direction away from the second portion. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a moveable sealing structure configured to seal the first end of the first outer sleeve, and wherein the poppet is configured to push the sealing structure away from the first end of the first outer sleeve when the first connector is mated with the second connector. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the poppet head includes a sloped surface, wherein the seat has a sloped surface sized and shaped to correspond to the sloped surface of the poppet head, and wherein the second connector includes an O-ring seal between the sloped surface of the poppet head and the sloped surface of the seat when the inner sleeve is in the first position. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein surfaces of the inner sleeve exposed to high pressure fluid in both directions parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second connector are equal in both directions. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the poppet head comprises a groove around a perimeter of the poppet head for receiving a sealing structure. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector further comprises a biasing element positioned in contact with the inner sleeve, and wherein the biasing element biases the inner sleeve toward the first position. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the biasing element is a spring. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is an annular seat. 
     
     
       17. A quick disconnect system for transmitting a fluid, comprising:
 (a) a first connector comprising:
 a first outer sleeve having a first end and a second end; and 
 
 (b) a second connector comprising:
 (i) a second outer sleeve having an opening sized and shaped to receive the first end of the first outer sleeve; 
 (ii) a poppet positioned within the second outer sleeve, the poppet comprising a first end having a poppet head and recessed from the opening of the second outer sleeve, and a second end opposite the first end; 
 (iii) an inner sleeve positioned within the second outer sleeve and having:
 a first end portion; and 
 a second end portion recessed from the opening of the second outer sleeve opposite the first end portion and having a seat; and 
 
 (iv) an abutment sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the inner sleeve; 
 
 wherein:
 (a) the inner sleeve is moveable between a first position wherein the poppet head forms a fluid-tight seal with the seat of the inner sleeve, and a second position wherein the second end portion is open to permit fluid flow through the second end portion; and 
 (b) when the first connector is mated with the second connector, the first connector contacts an axially-facing surface of the second end portion of the inner sleeve and pushes the second end portion of the inner sleeve away from the first position. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the second connector further comprises a biasing element positioned in contact with the inner sleeve, and wherein the biasing element biases the inner sleeve toward the first position. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the poppet head comprises a groove around a perimeter of the poppet head for receiving a sealing structure. 
     
     
       20. A quick disconnect system for transmitting a fluid, comprising:
 (a) a first connector comprising:
 a first outer sleeve having a first end and a second end; and 
 
 (b) a second connector comprising:
 (i) a second outer sleeve having an opening sized and shaped to receive the first end of the first outer sleeve; 
 (ii) a poppet positioned within the second outer sleeve, the poppet comprising a first end having a poppet head and recessed from the opening of the second outer sleeve, and a second end opposite the first end; 
 (iii) an inner sleeve positioned within the second outer sleeve and having:
 a first end portion; and 
 a second end portion recessed from the opening of the second outer sleeve opposite the first end portion and having a seat; 
 
 (iv) a biasing element positioned in contact with the inner sleeve; and 
 (v) an abutment sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the inner sleeve; 
 
 wherein:
 (a) the inner sleeve is moveable between a first position wherein the poppet head forms a fluid-tight seal with the seat of the inner sleeve, and a second position wherein the second end portion is open to permit fluid flow through the second end portion; 
 (b) the biasing element biases the inner sleeve toward the first position; 
 (c) the second end portion of the inner sleeve is pushed by the first connector away from the first position when the first connector is mated with the second connector; and 
 (d) the biasing element is positioned longitudinally between a spring abutment portion of the inner sleeve and a flange of the abutment sleeve. 
 
 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein surfaces of the inner sleeve exposed to high pressure fluid in both directions parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second connector are equal in both directions. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the poppet head comprises a groove around a perimeter of the poppet head for receiving a sealing structure.